News

Country Music Artist Thomas Rhett to Perform on Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts Race Day

Len Glockner and Mike Schmaltz

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Thomas Rhett will light up our Kroger Prerace Concert stage on Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts race day June 28
The Valory Music Company

The Valory Music Company

SPARTA, Ky. - Country music singer/songwriter Thomas Rhett will rev up Kentucky Speedway's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts race day when he takes the Kroger Prerace Concert Stage June 28.

The 23-year-old Georgia native scored his second straight No. 1 Billboard Magazine Hot Country Songs Chart single "Get Me Some of That" last month and his first with the title single from his It Goes Like This collection. Those hits along with the popular “Something to Do with My Hands" and "Beer with Jesus" ­propelled the album to No. 2 on the BillboardMagazine Top Country Albums Chart.

Rhett's energetic performance is included with Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts race tickets which are priced as low as $59. Fans can enjoy stage-side and trackside views of the show by adding a daily Kroger Fan Zone pass to ticket orders. Passes also provide pit road access at designated times, the opportunity to view NASCAR inspection as well as enjoy unique activities and concessions in an area near pit road and surrounding Victory Lane.

Rhett, the son of country music fan-favorite Rhett Akins who scored numerous hits in the 1990s such as the No. 1 single "Don't Get Me Started" and "That Ain't My Truck," was raised on country, rock and hip-hop listening to Merle Haggard, Hank Williams and Led Zeppelin. All are reflected in his unique sound.

During his senior year in high school, Rhett became serious about following in his father's footsteps. An emerging songwriting talent, Rhett signed a publishing contract with EMI in 2010. Eight short months later, his "I Ain't Ready to Quit" single was part of superstar Jason Aldean's My Kind of Party collection that went double platinum and became 2011's best-selling country album.

Soon after, Rhett signed to record with The Valory Music, Co., a Big Machine Records label.

Now, a former teen trying to determine a career path in industries other than music, is hearing his songs on radio stations across the country, making appearances on daytime television shows and touring with Brantley Gilbert.

"I don't have a clue where this is going or where it'll end up, but the journey is cool enough for me," Rhett said.

He also will be featured at the Academy of Country Music's Party for a Cause Festival April 4 in Las Vegas, Nev., alongside Rascal Flatts, Florida Georgia Line, Justin Moore and more of the industry's top stars.

The Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts will close out Kentucky Speedway's three-race NASCAR weekend that opens with the Camping World Truck Series UNOH 225 Thursday, June 26 and also spotlights a 300-mile Nationwide Series battle Friday, June 27.